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- 09/12/2022
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
CRYSTALLINE - 25. The Car Nation
The following Monday, Lachlan called Yashuki. Although he worked the weekend Lachlan had not spoken to him about more permanent work since Dante’s recommendation because he had forgotten it entirely.
“I’ve been expecting your call for some time” Yashuki said.
“And why is that?”
“Because...um...Dante said so”
“I’m not sure I understand”
“Didn’t Dante tell you I wanted more work?”
“Now that you say so, I do vaguely remember him saying something about you. But my reason for calling is to ask you about that trick you did on Saturday night with the gift vouchers”
“Magic is a hobby of mine and I like to practice as much as possible, especially with an audience”
“Do you have other tricks?” asked Lachlan
“You mean magic?”
“Of course, what else?”
“Another of my talents include entertaining men in other ways”
“Really! But I think waiting and magic might be enough for now. How about you pop in some time to show us a few tricks, of the magic kind, and we’ll take it from there”
“So is that a full-time job offer?”
“Not yet, but if we like what we see you could be top of the casual roster as a waiter and we’ll see how we can use your magic talents”
Yashuki’s magic tricks impressed Lachlan and Thomas, so he was first to be called for casual shifts and offered a bonus if he did a few tricks while waiting.
***
A few weeks later, when Thomas noticed Yashuki was now earning more as a casual, than a full-time wage he offered him a permanent position including accommodation on site. But when he objected to a share room, Thomas had to re-arrange the accommodation for the trainees. There were only six twin rooms in the staff accommodation block and there had been plans to move Cook and Carol into their own rooms, but Thomas decided, that as supervisors they should stay in the main house. Yashuki was given his own room, Vince and Harry shared, Mia and Nyamba shared while Troy and Charlotte had their own rooms for now. The spare would be used for staff who live off-site but needed to stay overnight due to a late finish and early start.
***
Leo, the journo from The Star Observer, called Thomas to say his colleague found a group they wanted to interview for a profile story. He thought they might be suitable for a weekend at Crystalline, if the price was right.
Thomas negotiated with the president of the group and they were booked under the name of The Car Nation.
***
“They didn’t say” Thomas replied to Lachlan’s question “I suppose they are a group of car enthusiasts, maybe vintage cars”
“That will be interesting, I hope they drive their vehicles here”
“If they’re meeting as a group, I’m sure they will”
“I look forward to it”
***
A month later the resort was prepared for an exclusive group booking for The Car Nation. When they all arrived in regular vehicles, Lachlan was disappointed but said nothing about it when he welcomed the group and introduced them to Carol and Mia who escorted the 12 members to their rooms.
Over dinner it became obvious the The Car Nation had nothing to do with motor vehicles, but were a gardening group dedicated to enhancing the reputation and propagation of the carnation flower.
“Can we use the lawn area tomorrow for a floral display and other club activities” Superstar asked
“Of course and would you like the assistance of our resident gardener with your activities?”
“Thank you, I’ll talk with my members and let you know”
***
The following morning the residents of the main house were awakened by an early morning banging on the front door. Carol pushed Patrick out of bed with orders to see who was calling so early.
A barely awake Patrick stumbled to the front door. As he opened the door and before he could even ask, the caller said “Where ya want these flowas mate?”
“What?”
“Flowas, a fuckin’ shit load of ‘em”
“I better call the gardener, he must have ordered them. Hang on a tick”
“Don’t be long, I’ve gotta git back to the fuckin’ markets”
Patrick called Dante, who replied “I didn’t order any flowers, wait I’ll ask Thomas” He shook Thomas and asked “Do you know anything about a delivery of flowers? Patrick’s on the phone”
“No...wait...maybe they’re for the gardening group. You go and take delivery of the order and I’ll go ask The Car...ask Patrick if they’re carnations”
“Here, ask him yourself” Dante said as he handed over his phone.
“Are they carnations?” Patrick asked the delivery driver.
“Fucked if I know mate, dunno anyfing about flowas”
Patrick then saw Dante crossing the driveway wearing only shorts.
“Shit...fuck... bloody gravel driveway’s a bugger in bare feet”
The delivery driver turned to see Dante hopping over the driveway as if it was a patch of bindi-eye.
“You ok mate, are ya gonna take these flowas?”
“Yeah sure”
“Can ya give me a hand to unload ‘em?”
<>
The mystery of the flower delivery was solved when Thomas was told they were for activities later in the day.
“Good, my partner is taking delivery for you”
“Thank you”
“I did ask you last night if you needed any help from our gardener. A heads up about such an early delivery would have helped”
“Sorry about that, it was Georgia Peach’s responsibility to tell you”
“That’s an unusual name”
“Our club names are from carnation varieties. I’m Superstar and my partner is Neon Star”
“Yes of course you are” replied Thomas cheekily. “Is there anything else you need, so I can arrange it for you?”
“Oh yes, there will be a group of pinks arriving about ten o’clock”
“More flowers I presume”
“Very good, you know your carnations”
“Not really, just a wild guess”
“Then you guessed well, Pinks is a collective name for the miniature varieties. But in this case, the Pinks I am expecting are novices who will be joining our club after their initiation ceremony”
“But you don’t have any more guests booked”
“They will only be here for a couple of hours and we will cater for their needs while they are here. I hope that is acceptable”
“Yes, that’s fine. Let me know if there is anything else you need”
“We’d like to use the pool as well”
“Of course, the pool is available for all guests and in this case, your visitors”
“Thank you and you are welcome to watch our ceremonies if you wish”
“I’ll see if I have time, but thanks for the offer”
“Oh, there is one more thing. Can Plumarius talk to your chef about including carnations in some of the dishes?”
“Plumarius being one of your group?”
“Yes, he’s named after a beautiful double variety that comes in pink, red and white”
“Is it safe to eat carnations?” Thomas asked
“The petals only”
“Snowy will be busy preparing breakfast at present, but I’ll have him contact you when he is free”
“Thank you”
***
While the guests were finishing breakfast, Snowy entered the dining room. Having already changed from his chef’s whites, he was wearing stretch jeans and a tight T shirt. He felt like he was back in a high school Shakespearean play when asking “Who is Plumarius?”
“I am handsome, come and sit next to me and tell me why you have plucked me from this field of beauties”
“Ah...I’m the chef. I believe you want to talk about putting flowers in my dishes”
“That’s not all I’d like to put in, but that will do for now”
Snowy pulled over an extra chair and as he sat down, Plumarius put a hand on his chest and remarked “Why do they hide you in the kitchen? A fine cut of beef like you should be out here for all to feast on”
A slightly embarrassed Snowy replied “Um...I’m just here to ask what you want me to do with the flowers. I’ve already checked and carnation petals are safe to eat”
“Of course sweetie you can include them in salads or drinks and when dried used as a garnish on many foods. They are surprisingly sweet and some varieties mildly spicy,... much like you” He said with raised eyebrows. “They add a colourful and festive touch to many foods, don’t you? Oops, I mean don’t they?”
“I’ll see what I can do”
“I’d like to see what you can do also” Plumarius suggested as he patted Snowy’s thigh and left his hand there.
“Yes, well I must be off now, I have a short break and then back to the kitchen to start on lunch”
“What will you be doing during your break, petal, need any company?” Plumarius asked as he squeezed.
“No thanks, I’ll do some laps of the pool and then maybe a sauna” As soon as he finished Snowy realised he had made a big mistake and added “On second thoughts, I need to check some recipe books for ways to use carnations. Yes, that’s what I’ll do”
“Oh pity, but I suppose I have myself to blame for that. Silly Plumarius, maybe I’ll see you later”
Snowy prised the hand from his thigh and as he walked away muttered under his breath “Not if I see you first”
***
Shortly after breakfast a journo from The Star arrived to interview the Car Nation group.
The group leader, Superstar met Leo from the star and introduced some of the members.
“These are our members Armerius, Maiden Pink, Barbatus, Pavonius, Laced Romeo and Basuticus”
“Pleased to meet you all” replied Leo. “Please tell me about the unusual names”
“We all take our club names from our favourite Dianthus variety. That’s the botanical name for Carnations”
“Ah that explains why some many of your names sound Italian, they are taken .from Latin”
“Yes, it does give them an exotic sound”
“Tell me, are you really a gardening group?”
“Of course, why do you doubt it?”
“It’s just that I was given some rough notes from our office and there is mention of exotic rituals related to membership and an initiation ceremony”
“Oh we have that also. I hope you will stay for the initiations this afternoon. It will be a good photo op for you”
“I look forward to that”
“You won’t be disappointed”
“Now tell me about the gardening side of your club”
***
Patrick was on pool duty when Yashuki arrived and lie on one of the lounges. He was an attractive sight in his Japanese style speedos. His smooth velvety hairless torso glistened in the morning sun.
Patrick did not see who arrived but heard him and asked “Can I get you a towel?” as he turned. “Oh it’s just you”
“Just me? but I would like a towel thank you”
“You’ll find them in the blue locker over there. Staff don’t get poolside service” replied Patrick, then added “Especially you”
“Do you have a problem with just me or all Asians?”
“Don’t play the race card, you know why I don’t want to see you about here, and on that subject, I notice you’ve taken up residence, does that mean you are a permanent worker here?”
“Yes, my talents have been recognised by your boss”
“Really, and how convenient that must be for you. Have you been working your magic on my brother to achieve that?”
“I don’t know what you mean”
“Oh I think you do. I can’t do much about you working here, but be warned, stay away from Dante and stop sucking up to Thomas to get your own way. There may be consequences if you don’t”
“I don’t like being threatened, so just stay away from me and let me sun myself in peace”
Patrick went back to his work but was not a happy man and pushed the leaf skimmer around the pool with far more vigour than was necessary.
Later when Yashuki was leaving he said to Patrick “For your information, I have no further interest in your brother and he doesn’t give great head anyway”
“Fuck you”
“Would you like to?” asked Yashuki as he oozed towards Patrick, who was sweeping the poolside.
Patrick held up the broom and replied “Keep your distance or I may just take you up on that offer and put this broom handle where the rising sun don’t shine”
Yashuki did not reply. He just turned and left; his barely covered butt cheeks bouncing alternately as he strutted away.
While Patrick was trying to control his rage, a group of the carnation people came down to the pool carrying baskets of flowers.
“Hello, are you the pool man?” asked one.
“Yes, I’m Patrick maintenance and lifeguard duties. How can I help?”
“Lovey, we need to prepare the pool for our ceremony to welcome the Pinks into our fold”
“I thought you were a gardening group, you sound more like preachers”
“You’re close Lovey, carnation loving is like a religion, that’s why we fully immerse the newcomers during their welcome”
“So you want to use the pool for your sort of baptism”
“We don’t call it that but yes, that’s the idea. We prefer to call the process, a blooming”
“Ok, feel free to use the pool”
“Thank you” Then turning to his fellow member, said “Let’s start the preparations”
Four of the members then started taking the heads off the flowers and sprinkling the petals in the pool.
“Hey wait guys, what are you doing?”
“Covering the surface with petals so our initiates can blossom and be caressed by the queen of flowers”
“But...but...I just cleaned the pool and skimmed the leaves”
“And we thank you for that, as we only want carnation petals in the pool for the ceremony”
“No I don’t think I can allow that. It will play havoc with the filtration system, which I might add I have just repaired and serviced”
“But your man, what was his name, Armeria?” he asked his fellow member.
Armeria replied “Thomas, I think”
“Yes of course, Thomas said we could use the pool”
“Then I’ll have to check with him”
A quick telephone conference between Patrick and Thomas resulted in Thomas arriving at the pool even before their conversation finished.
As Thomas arrived, Patrick blurted out “They want to dump all this stuff in my clean pool”
“Is that a problem?” Thomas asked Patrick
“Yes, all this will get into the filtration system and bugger up the works. I’ve only just fixed it”
Thomas took Patrick aside, “Not in front of the guests. Isn’t there some way we could let them do this and avoid damage to your filter?”
“There is one way, if I turn off the filter that will stop the petals being sucked into the leaf filter, but then we would have to skim the pool as soon as they finish and before anyone else uses the pool”
“Ok, let’s do that and I’ll get you some extra help to skim the pool quickly, after their ceremony”
They returned to the group and said they could proceed, but to wait for Patrick’s signal before putting any more petals in the pool.
***
Meanwhile the Pinks had arrived and were being welcomed by the other members in the first part of the initiation ceremony.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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